Sliding mount for a watch band

ABSTRACT

A sliding mount for use with a watch band is presented. A sliding mount according to some embodiments includes a device mount; band receivers connected to the device mount, the band receivers capable of receiving a watch band; and sensors mounted on the device mount.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Prov. App. 62/121,047, entitled “Sliding Mount for a Watch Band,” by Adam Pluemer, Andreas Pluemer, and Christopher John Sontag, filed on Feb. 26, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention are related to a sliding mount for a watch band.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

The projection of new digital watches that have a high degree of functionality will present owners of fine watches with a quandary: whether to wear the high value fine watch or to wear the highly functional digital watch. The highly functional digital watch, for example the iWatch from Apple, is projected to have functionality similar to smart phones. Wearers of the highly function digital watches will enjoy the functionality of a smart phone on their wrist.

Therefore, there is a need to develop better holders for watches, and in particular better watch bands and other materials for watch bands.

SUMMARY

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a sliding mount is presented. A sliding mount according to some embodiments includes a device mount; band receivers connected to the device mount, the band receivers capable of receiving a watch band; and sensors mounted on the device mount.

These and other embodiments are further discussed below with respect to the following figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a watch band according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate wearing the watch band illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A and 4B further illustrate the watch band.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sliding mount on a watch band according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F illustrate embodiments of a sliding holder with a watch band.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of sliding mount.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate another embodiment of a sliding mount.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of a sliding mount.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another embodiment of a sliding mount.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a sliding mount with a cover.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another embodiment of a sliding mount.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate another embodiment of a sliding mount.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate another embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate another embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate another embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate another embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate another embodiment of sensors on a sliding mount.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C illustrate an embodiment of a sliding mount receiving a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describing some embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in the art may realize other elements that, although not specifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure.

This description and the accompanying drawings that illustrate inventive aspects and embodiments should not be taken as limiting—the claims define the protected invention. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this description and the claims. In some instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown or described in detail in order not to obscure the invention.

Additionally, the drawings are not to scale. Relative sizes of components are for illustrative purposes only and do not reflect the actual sizes that may occur in any actual embodiment of the invention. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. And, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and the like specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups. Components described as coupled may be electrically or mechanically directly coupled, or they may be indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components.

Elements and their associated aspects that are described in detail with reference to one embodiment may, whenever practical, be included in other embodiments in which they are not specifically shown or described. For example, if an element is described in detail with reference to one embodiment and is not described with reference to a second embodiment, the element may nevertheless be claimed as included in the second embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a watch band 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, watch band 100 includes a first section 102 and a second section 104. As shown in FIG. 1, watch band 100 couples a watch 106 with a watch 108 where first section 102 and second section 104 couple watch 106 and watch 108 into a single wearable watchband with two watches. Watch 106 and watch 108 can be any pair of watches. However, watch band 100 can be used to mount a decorative watch, watch 106, with a highly functional smart digital watch, watch 108. For example, for those that do not wish to abandon wearing of an expensive high-end watch but would also like the functionality of a smart digital watch, watch 106 can be a high end watch and watch 108 can be a smart digital watch.

As shown in FIG. 1, sections 102 and 104 can include connectors to mate with watches 106 and 108. The example shown in FIG. 1 is a standard pin type, or spring bar, connection so that section 102 couples to watch 106 with connector 112 and to watch 108 with connector 110 while section 104 couples to watch 106 with connector 116 and couples to watch 108 with connector 114. As is further discussed below, other connections can be made. Further, in some embodiments section 102 and 104 can be formed in a single piece with a holder for watch 108 formed in the now single piece band. Additionally, in some embodiments a clasp may be formed in section 102 or section 104. Band 100 can be formed of any material capable of holding watch 106 and watch 108. For example, band 100 can be formed as an expansion bracelet, can be formed of leather, simulated hides, metal, precious metals, cloth, fabric, nylon, rubber plastic, composite materials or other material. Band 100 can be formed to various designs and patterns and can be formed of combinations of materials.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate on way of wearing band 100 while FIGS. 3A and 3B show another way of wearing band 100. FIGS. 4A and 4B further illustrate band 100 with watches 106 and 108 in place. In some embodiments, a sliding mount may be used to hold watch 108 and various sensors.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a sliding mount 500 on a watch band 502. Sliding mount 500 may be used to mount a watch, for example watch 108, and/or other sensors on watch band 502. As shown in FIG. 5, sliding mount 500 is mounted on watch band 502 in a slideable fashion. In other words, sliding mount 500 slides over a strap of watch band 502 such that watch band 502 retains sliding mount 500. Sliding mount 500 may be positioned anywhere on watch band 502. In some cases, sliding mount 500 may include sensors. In some embodiments, the sensors on sliding mount 500 may be configured to be in contact with the user's skin.

FIG. 6A further illustrates an example of sliding mount 500. As shown in FIG. 6A, sliding mount 500 includes band receivers 506 that receive watch band 502. As such, sliding mount 500 slides onto watch band 502 at band receivers 506. As shown in FIG. 6A, band receivers 506 include legs and a slit that allows watch band 502 to pass through the slit. Further, sliding mount 500 can include a device mount 504. In some embodiments, device mount 504 may receive a watch such as watch 108 or any other devices. Sensors may be mounted in various locations on slider mount 500, as is discussed further below. In some embodiments, sensors may be electrically coupled to a mounted device in device mount 504.

FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of slider mount 500 as shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C illustrates another perspective of sliding mount 500 as shown in FIG. 6A. FIGS. 6D, 6E and 6F illustrate slider mount 500 without wrist band 502 for further clarification. As shown most clearly in FIG. 6D, a wrist band 502 can pass through elongated openings in band receivers 506.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an embodiment of sliding mount 500 where bottom 702 is formed of a solid piece. A wrist band 502 passing through receivers 506 would pass between solid piece bottom 702 and mount 504. In such case, solid piece bottom 702 would have a side with a large area in contact with a user's wrist. In some embodiments, solid piece bottom 702 may include one or more sensors that can contact the user's wrist.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an embodiment of sliding mount 500 with a platform 802. Platform 802 can be a flat top and can be used to mount a watch, such as watch 108 for example, or other devices. As is further shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C, a sensor mount 804 can be provided adjacent to band receivers 506. Sensor mounts 804 can be flat areas that will be in contact with a user's wrist when a watch band 502 that includes mount 500 is worn. As shown in FIG. 8B, a sensor 806 can be provided over sensor mounts 804. In some cases, sensor mounts 804 can be arranged such that sensors 806 can be in contact with the user.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example of sliding mount 500 with a shaped platform 902. Shaped platform 902 can be of any shape and can be used to accommodate devices or watches with various profiles.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate another embodiment of sliding mount 500. In place of sensor mounts 804, are wider sensor mounts 1002. As shown in FIG. 10B, a sensor 1004 can be coupled over sensor mounts 1002 such that individual sensors of sensor 1004 can be in contact with a user.

FIG. 11 illustrates that, in some embodiments, sliding mount 500 can include a cover 1102. Cover 1102 can be configured to cover any device mounted on sliding mount 500. Cover 1102 may be either a hard cover or a soft cover and may use any mechanism for fixing cover 1102 in place on mount 500. For example, cover 1102 may use clips, hook-and-loop, straps, or other devices to hold cover 1102 in place over mount 500.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate an example of sliding mount 500 where a slot 1202 is formed in band receiver 506. Slot 1202 is large enough to allow a watch band 502 to pass into band receiver 506 while small enough to substantially capture watch band 502 within band receiver 506 until effort is made to remove band 502 from slot 1202. FIGS. 12A and 12B show slot 1202 in a side of sliding receiver 506. FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate a slot 1302 formed in a bottom of band receiver 506. Again, slot 1302 allows band 502 to pass through slot 1302 for capture in band receiver 506. Slot 1302 captures band 502 until band 502 is removed from slot 1302.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate an example placement of round sensors 1402 on sensor mounts 1002. FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate location of oval sensors 1502 on sensor mounts 1002. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate location of square sensors 1602 on sensor mounts 1002. Although round, oval, and square sensors have been illustrated, any shaped sensor can be placed on mount 500.

Sensors can be placed in any arrangement around sliding mount 500. Further, sensor shapes and types can be mixed. FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate square sensors 1602 with an oval sensor 1702 on sensor mount 1002. FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate round sensors 1402 with square sensor 180 mounted on sensor mount 1002. FIGS. 19A and 19B illustrate a bar sensor 1902 on sensor mount 1002.

FIG. 20A further illustrates an embodiment of sliding mount 500. As shown in FIG. 20A, device mount 504 includes an opening with retainers 2002 included in the walls of the opening. FIG. 20B illustrate a device 2004 inserted into device mount 504 such that clips 2006 are inserted into retainers 2002 in order to hold device 2004 in device mount 504.

FIG. 20C further illustrates sliding mount 500. Further, device 2004 can be electrically connected to sensors mounted around sliding mount 500. As shown in FIG. 20C, connector 2012 can be coupled electrically to device 2004. Connector 2008 may be electrically connected to a sensor. Connectors 2008 and 2012 are electrically connected through wire 2010, which is run through the structure of sliding mount 500.

Device 2004 can be any device, including a device that specifically receives signals from various sensors mounted on sliding mount 500. For example, device 2004 may receive data from various sensors on sliding mount 500, analyze the data, and provide information to a user. In some embodiments, device 2004 may include a watch.

In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set for in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sliding mount, comprising: a device mount configured to receive a device; and band receivers connected to the device mount, the band receivers capable of receiving a watch band.
 2. The sliding mount of claim 1, wherein the device is a watch.
 3. The sliding mount of claim 1, wherein the band receivers each include a slot through which the watch band passes.
 4. The sliding mount of claim 3, wherein the slot is formed in a side of the band receivers.
 5. The sliding mount of claim 3, wherein the slot is formed in a bottom of the band receivers.
 6. The sliding mount of claim 1, further including a solid base connected between the device mount and the band receivers to allow the watch band to be positioned between the device mount and the sold base.
 7. The sliding mount of claim 6, further including sensors formed in the sold base.
 8. The sliding mount of claim 7, wherein the sensors contact a user when the watch band is worn.
 9. The sliding mount of claim 1, further including sensor mounts coupled to the band receivers.
 10. The sliding mount of claim 9, further including sensors mounted to the sensor mounts.
 11. The sliding mount of claim 1, wherein a device inserted into the device mount is electrically coupled to sensors mounted on the sliding mount.
 12. The sliding mount of claim 1, further including a cover configured to cover a device mounted on the device mount. 